In a significant step toward resolving the farmer-herder crisis and promoting economic prosperity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled his administration’s renewed commitment to attracting both local and international investments into Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The announcement came during a signing ceremony for a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and JBS S.A., one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership in addressing key challenges facing the nation, including food insecurity, poverty, and the persistent farmer-herder clashes.
“What we are doing right now is solving a problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed, when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it,” the President said.
He urged JBS S.A. to leverage Nigeria’s estimated $2.5 billion livestock investment potential and its large population to secure a foothold in the market.
“We believe in the partnership we are forging today. Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at,” he remarked.
JBS S.A., known for its advanced technology and integrated operations, processes 33,000 cattle and over 8 million birds daily while employing over 200,000 people worldwide.
Its founder and President, Wesley Batista, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, describing Nigeria as a potential hub for protein supply across Africa.
“We are glad to work with Nigeria to develop the livestock industry there. We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa. We look forward to working with you,” Batista said.
The agreement followed an extensive study tour of Sao Paulo by a delegation of Nigerian officials and private sector leaders, commissioned by President Tinubu. The team explored opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, and seed multiplication.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, who led the delegation, emphasized JBS S.A.’s global reputation and advanced zero-waste practices, noting the company’s unmatched capacity to drive transformation in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Other key members of the delegation included Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Co-chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega; Secretary of the Committee, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahya; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Aisha Rimi.
President Tinubu underscored the broader vision of this partnership, which aligns with his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through agriculture.
“We are turning a situation of tragedy and hopelessness into economic opportunity, seeing through problems to uncover the opportunities involved,” he noted.
The partnership with JBS S.A. is poised to accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward food security, peace, and economic prosperity, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s agricultural reform agenda.